First edition, first impression. A collection of a series of lectures organised by the Fabian society, including Orwell’s “Culture and Democaracy”, delivered on 22 November 1941. Orwell was unaware that publication had taken place until late July 1942, and wrote to the publishers on 23 July 1942 to complain about the transcription of his lecture, to which he claimed “the most unwarrantable alterations” had been made. In 1949 he wrote to his literary executors that he did not wish it to be reprinted, and again noted that it was “grossly altered without my knowledge.”

Octavo. Original yellow boards, titles to spine black. With the dust jacket. Boards bowed, rear hinge cracked but holding, edges foxed. A very good copy in the toned jacket with some minor nicks to extremities.